Milwaukee Bucks: The NBA 2K18 all-time snub team
By Ben Sewell
Starting Center: Jack Sikma (1986-1991)
Statistics – 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks per game
Bucks Records – Eighth in total rebounds, first in free throw percentage.
Ironically, Sikma was traded to Milwaukee in a blockbuster move which sent fellow all-time snub center Alton Lister to the Seattle SuperSonics. Much was expected of the seven time All-Star when he arrived in Milwaukee and thankfully he did not disappoint.
During his five season stint in Milwaukee, Sikma was the picture of consistency, missing only a handful of regular season games, and providing meaningful contributions on both ends of the floor.
During these five seasons, Milwaukee never once missed the playoffs and played with a 0.568 winning record. Todays Bucks teams can only dream of this type of consistency and Sikma was a big part of this success.
What separates Sikma from fellow centers was his ability to knock down free throws. In the 1987-88 season, Sikma led the whole league, shooting 92.2 percent from the line. Overall, during his time as a Buck, he shot a Bucks record 88.4 percent from the charity stripe on 3.6 attempts per game. Astonishing numbers from anyone, let alone from a position historically known for poor free throw numbers.
Sikma was a vital part of the success Milwaukee had during the late 1980s. Unsurprisingly, the year after Sikma left, the Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Top-10 individual seasons in franchise history
The Bucks would not make the playoffs for seven seasons in a row following Sikma’s departure, highlighting the impact he (amongst others) had on the team.